Factors influencing the decision to receive seasonal influenza vaccination among US corporate non-healthcare workers

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Obianuju Genevieve Aguolu, Yale University; Kathryn Willebrand, Yale University; Jad A Elharake, Yale University; Hanya M Qureshi, Yale University; Moses C Kiti, Emory University; Carol Y Liu, Emory University; Ana Restrepo Mesa, Emory University; Kristin Nelson, Emory University; Samuel Jenness, Emory University; Alesssia Melegaro, Bocconi University; Faruque Ahmed, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta; Inci Yildirim, Emory University; Fauzia Malik, Emory University; Benjamin Lopman, Emory University; Saad Omer, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-09-22
• Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2022.2122379
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: 2122379
• End Page: 2122379
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was supported by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (grant number - 5U01CK000572-02)
• Keywords: vaccination; Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Influenza; Immunology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; health education; Science & Technology; corporate employees
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Influenza causes significant mortality and morbidity in the United States (US). Employees are exposed to influenza at work and can spread it to others. The influenza vaccine is safe, effective, and prevents severe outcomes; however, coverage among US adults (50.2%) is below Healthy People 2030 target of 70%. These highlights need for more effective vaccination promotion interventions. Understanding predictors of vaccination acceptance could inform vaccine promotion messages, improve coverage, and reduce illness-related work absences. We aimed to identify factors influencing influenza vaccination among US non-healthcare workers. Using mixed-methods approach, we evaluated factors influencing influenza vaccination among employees in three US companies during April–June 2020. Survey questions were adapted from the WHO seasonal influenza survey. Most respondents (n = 454) were women (272, 59.9%), 20–39 years old (n = 250, 55.1%); white (n = 254, 56.0%); had a college degree (n = 431, 95.0%); and reported receiving influenza vaccine in preceding influenza season (n = 297, 65.4%). Logistic regression model was statistically significant, X (16, N = 450) = 31.6, p =.01. Education [(OR) = 0.3, 95%CI = 0.1–0.6)] and race (OR = 0.4, 95%CI = 0.2–0.8) were significant predictors of influenza vaccine acceptance among participants. The majority had favorable attitudes toward influenza vaccination and reported that physician recommendation would influence their vaccination decisions. Seven themes were identified in qualitative analysis: “Protecting others” (109, 24.0%), “Protecting self” (105, 23.1%), “Vaccine accessibility” (94, 20.7%), “Education/messaging” (71, 15.6%), “Policies/requirements” (15, 3.3%), “Reminders” (9, 2.0%), and “Incentives” (3, 0.7%). Our findings could facilitate the development of effective influenza vaccination promotion messages and programs for employers, and workplace vaccination programs for other diseases such as COVID-19, by public health authorities.